Creating Space for Health

The Art of Living Well begins, in my experience, clearing space for our desires to have a fertile place to grow. Certainly, a clean fridge won’t solve all of my health concerns. But this small, and seemingly insignificant gesture will, I believe, uplift, and inspire the changes my husband and I need and want to make.

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Video transcript

How does one make room in their life for the things they truly need and desire? You can’t go wrong, starting with your refrigerator

This month at The Anthropological, we’re focusing on creating space and making room for true desires. One desire my husband Erik and I have is to live well, even amidst challenges. And how can you live well without a good relationship with your health and the food you eat 

The last few years, my health has suffered and because of that, I’ve added a few extra pounds to my fairly small frame. It’s been difficult to watch my body change as I’ve struggled with the symptoms and underlying causes of these health issues. I’ve always exercised and eaten healthy, and the only time I’ve carried extra weight on my body was when I was pregnant with my three children.

Yet, despite my best efforts, these last few years my weight increased, and my energy decreased, and it’s been difficult to find the culprit of these physical changes. I’ve felt rather helpless, and to be frank, unattractive, as my weight fluctuates and the spots on my face darken.

With the advent of the New Year and some recent changes to my diet and lifestyle, I have seen some improvements. But I still have a ways to go. However, one thing I’m certain of is the power of making small changes, especially in how we live day to day, to accomplish our desires.

One seemingly small change I think we often underestimate is taking time to clear out the nooks and crannies of our lives, both physically and emotionally. It’s easy to focus all our attention on symptoms, or the easy to see areas, rather than deal with the forgotten corners.

I wanted to create space for our health, but where to start? Our home, for the most part stays pretty clean. We don’t have the chaos of tiny hands and feet around disturbing the order anymore. Then, I opened the refrigerator. There was a nook and cranny that needed some serious attention.

Although it’s difficult, at first, to see how a clean refrigerator, a change of almost miniscule proportions, could support one’s desires for increased health. But upon greater reflection, I’m sure you would agree that the delight of opening a clean refrigerator with pretty glass containers and healthy foods neatly organized on the shelves, is a great way to inspire a healthier lifestyle.

Beauty and order are, in my opinion, always a perfect place to start.

When you struggle with hormone imbalances, it can be nearly impossible to heal through simply dieting and exercising more. In fact, fewer calories, fasting, and more physical exertion exacerbated my underlying issues, and I gained even more! I’ve had to find ways of decreasing my overall stress and increasing my joy. Oddly enough, beauty and order decrease my stress, and therefore lesson my symptoms. Who knew a clean fridge could help you lose weight?

The Art of Living Well begins, in my experience, creating space for our desires to have a fertile place to grow. Certainly, a clean fridge won’t solve all of my health concerns. But this small, and seemingly insignificant gesture will, I believe, uplift, and inspire the changes my husband and I need and want to make.

Small and simple things, like creating space, can and will bring you the things you desire most.